A FINE opening partnership of 132 wasn't enough for Maldon to clinch victory at the weekend.
Maldon skipper Jimmy Ainscough, won the toss at Mistley and decided to bat first.
He was delighted when Jamie Glenn (80) and Chris Harris (71) compiled a century opening partnership. Glenn went at 132 and Mistley seized the chance to make inroads into Maldon's middle order.
"We know Jamie's a class act," said the skipper about his New Zealand all-rounder. "But this year he has got the measure of English wickets and is playing beautifully. I am also delighted with young Chris Harris who is living up to the promise he showed as a colt with Maldon."
At one point, a late innings collapse of last week's dimensions threatened, but Martyn Coker (58no) stood firm and hit hard (seven fours and three sixes) to propel Maldon to their highest total this season (264-8).
Kemsley Robb, who played just one game for Mistley I last year and scored 100 not out, repeated the feat this year.
Maldon got an early wicket thanks to Jack Riley, but Robb and Young (66) hit 27 boundaries between them to put the match beyond Maldon.
Toby Pugh (2-65) did his best to stem the tide but Mistley carried on and an undefeated 57 by Goff saw them pass Maldon's total for the loss of only three wickets. Mistley consolidated their position as third in the table.
In the Two Counties Division Five, Maldon II played Tuddenham I. Maldon came up against another century maker as Tuddenham batted first. Things began well for Maldon as in-form Chris Punchard (3-53) dismissed both openers for 43.
Cross (100 no) then found a partner in Smith (65) and took the game away from Maldon in a stand of 153. Maldon got a couple more wickets before Tuddenham closed at 223-4.
Maldon made a good fist for their reply. It began badly; they were 16-2, but Stuart Coker (22) and James Ellis (59) put on 60 for the second wicket and 224 was looking attainable. After Coker went, Jake Collins (39) pushed on a partnership with Ellis.
However, when Ellis was out, Tuddenham launched Tim Harris, who took three wickets in three overs to hasten through Maldon's lower order and a total of 162.
Kelvedon & Feering II played Maldon III in Division Six and yet another opponent posted an undefeated century against Maldon. Matt Hart (102) opened the innings for Kelvedon and was still there at the end with only one other batsman posting a significant score and their innings closed at 197-6.
Maldon's young team has some experienced cricketers to guide them. Two of these, Alan Sims (33) and Paul Bardo (40) wrestled the innings away from a poor start.
Sims went at 87-5 but Bardo received help from Sandy Grant (14) and Reece Bawden (25) and Maldon edged closer.
With the skipper gone, wickets fell quickly and the thirds fell short at 162.
